Plant ideas for column-style tank

[fallenangelf]

Hey all,

So, I'm currently cycling a 20g for a planted tropical community. My plan for stocking it is either 10 harlequin raspboras or 10 cardinal tetra, 3 or 4 cory cats, some CRS, and I was going to try a betta as the top level fish. So, in case the betta doesn't work out, I picked up a 5.5g hex column cheap off craigslsit in case the betta doesn't work out in the community tank. The hex column is about 18" tall x about 10" wide. If the betta does work out in the community, great! And i will get another single betta for the hex column. If not, he will end up in the hex column. So either way, it will have a single betta in it. Maybe some CRS, too-

So, my question is what plants would work well for this tank? I need a few tall growing plants for the BG, and some foreground plants. The tall BG plants can't be the type to grow to the top of the water lvl and curl across the top of the water, hence blocking all the light.

I will replace the crappy bulb in the hood with a daylight 6700k CFL, use some of my leftover 50/50 mix of black flourite sand & black fine grade eco-complete as substrate. Get a small ~50W heater & a small filter (either a tetra whisper or a small sponge filter). Does with flourish excel & trace as needed.

Thanks in advance for helping a noob!

[Hardy85]

Few options for you... assuming you are probably at about 30W of light

Anubius is great, it grows slow and really doesn't need a bunch of attention (doesn't need additional lighting)
Java Fern
Wisteria is a nice plant that can get tall
Bacopa (easy to propagate plant)

With the tall plants, you can always trim them if you don't want them bending over. But them bending over and blocking some light can actually be beneficial for the fish and other plants in the tank

There are tons of options, these are just what I have experience with